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Very Good

#911 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 32% in state

Howard EL Sch

Elementary School · Bald Eagle Area SD

255 School Street PO Box 406, Howard, PA 16841

Enrollment

101

Student-Teacher

11.2:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#636 of 1,625

In district

#3 of 5

Bald Eagle Area SD

Academic performance

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Howard EL Sch

Howard El Sch stands out as an exceptional elementary school serving 101 students in grades K-5 in the small rural community of Howard, Pennsylvania. With its impressive 9.5 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking as the 11th best elementary school out of 2,852 schools statewide, this school demonstrates remarkable academic achievement in Centre County. The school's intimate learning environment features a favorable 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio with 9 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and strong relationships between educators and students.

Academic performance is truly outstanding, with 86% of students achieving proficiency or above in mathematics and 72% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and reading across all grade levels. Located at 255 School Street in Howard's rural setting, the school serves a community where the median household income is $68,452 and median home value reaches $211,300. The surrounding ZIP code area of 16841 has a population of 6,833 residents, with 18% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 12.1%.

Howard El Sch provides an excellent educational foundation in Pennsylvania's scenic Centre County, where families can enjoy the benefits of small-town living while accessing top-tier academic opportunities for their children.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 101 students, Howard EL Sch is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Howard EL Sch may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.05 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.6Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency85.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency73.8%
Math vs. State Avg+34.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18 pts
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected+21.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,316

Howard EL Sch — Students at Howard EL Sch score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 83.7%
School
State
46.0%
ELA Proficiency 78.1%
School
State
53.3%

Based on 12 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
84.5%
ELA
95%
2021*
Math
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2024
Math
85.9%
ELA
72.3%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.8/10.

How Howard EL Sch Compares

See how Howard EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
68th percentile in PA
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
4.8/10
Below average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

255 School Street PO Box 406, Howard, PA 16841

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Howard EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Centre Hall-Potter El Sch (rated 8.5/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Centre Hall), which scores notably higher. Another option is Liberty-Curtin El Sch (rated 8.2/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Blanchard), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pleasant Gap El Sch (rated 8.1/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Pleasant Gap), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Howard, see our Howard schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.8 mi
School Distance Rating
SUNSET VIEW SCHOOL Howard 2.8 mi
LITTLE NITTANY SCHOOL Howard 3.3 mi
HUBLER RIDGE SCHOOL Bellefonte 4.2 mi
Marion-Walker El Sch Bellefonte 4.5 mi 7.7
SUNNY MEADOW PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Howard 4.2 mi
Liberty-Curtin El Sch Blanchard 4.8 mi 8.2
SANDY RIDGE SCHOOL Mill Hall 5.5 mi
Bellefonte Area HS Bellefonte 8.9 mi 5.6
Bellefonte Area MS Bellefonte 8.9 mi 6.7
CENTRE COUNTY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bellefonte 9.4 mi 7.3
LOCUST GROVE AMISH SCHOOL Beech Creek 8.9 mi
Central PA Institute of Science and Technology Pleasant Gap 10.1 mi
PEACH LANE AMISH SCHOOL Spring Mills 9.3 mi
Bellefonte El Sch Bellefonte 9.4 mi 7.9
WINDY POPLARS SCHOOL Spring Mills 11.1 mi
FISHING CREEK PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Mill Hall 8.9 mi
Pleasant Gap El Sch Pleasant Gap 11.2 mi 8.1
Centre Hall-Potter El Sch Centre Hall 11.8 mi 8.5
Bald Eagle Area MS/SHS Wingate 9.7 mi 4.9
Wingate El Sch Wingate 9.8 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 16841 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,965

Median Home Value

$207,100

Median Rent

$987/mo

Population

6,346

College Educated

17.3%

Homeownership

84.1%

Avg Commute

32.2 min

Poverty Rate

13.2%

Median Age

40.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Howard EL Sch has a median household income of $66,965. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $207,100, with a median rent of $987/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.2%. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
CITY SCHOOL AT FAIRMOUNT Philadelphia, PA 7.1
HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL York, PA 7.1
MARY OF NAZARETH CATHOLIC S White Oak, PA 7.1
REGINA COELI ACADEMY Abington, PA 7.1
SETON CATHOLIC SCHOOL Meadville, PA 7.1
NORTHEAST CENTRAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Philadelphia, PA 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Howard EL Sch

What grades does Howard EL Sch serve?

Howard EL Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Howard EL Sch?

Howard EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 101 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Howard EL Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at Howard EL Sch is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Howard EL Sch rank in PA?

Howard EL Sch is ranked #911 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Howard EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Howard EL Sch has a composite rating of 7.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Howard EL Sch?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Howard EL Sch has 83.7% math proficiency and 78.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Howard EL Sch a charter school?

No, Howard EL Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Howard EL Sch a Title I school?

No, Howard EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Howard EL Sch?

40.6% of students at Howard EL Sch qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
31 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
101
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Centre County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Bald Eagle Area SD
District Enrollment
1,524
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,540
District Rank
#3 of 5

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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